The Externalization of the Hierarchy - Section IV - Stages in the
Externalization

Approach, via Certain Ashrams

Students must
not proceed on the assumption that in the process of externalization there is a general
moving forward of the entire Hierarchy onto the physical plane. Such is not the case. The
whole effort is as yet (and will be for some time) experimental, and only a few of the
Ashrams and a certain number of the trained disciples and initiates will be involved at
first. It still remains to be proved how ready humanity is for this attempt. The Christian
concept of the return of a triumphant Christ, coming in the clouds of heaven to Jerusalem,
there to reign for a thousand years, is true in one way and utterly false as to design,
location and method. Christ will return; the Jerusalem referred to (literally "the
place of peace") is not the chief city of a small country called Palestine or the
Holy Land; the word is simply symbolic of a peaceful world - a world which, through its
own self-initiated efforts, has attained a general quietude and has acquired a certain
measure of right human relations. His coming in the air might be interpreted literally to
mean that at the right time He will come by plane from the place on earth where He has
been for many generations, watching over the sons of men; the words [576] "every eye
shall see Him" might mean that, by the time He comes, television will have been
perfected and He will then be seen, by its means, from even the most distant spot on
earth. To the orthodox Christian, the above will sound like the rankest blasphemy, but the
question immediately arises: Why should it be blasphemy for Him to use modern methods?
Whilst on earth before, He conformed to the customs of His time. "Riding on the
clouds of Heaven" may sound more picturesque and apparently require a greater
expression of divinity, but why use such a means when a plane will equally well fulfil
the purpose and carry the prophecy to completion? A great deal of reactionary stupidity
will have to be eliminated before He can come, and it will be as the new generation assert
their hold over human thinking. But it is not the event or the stage of Christ's appearing
with which we are now dealing, but with the preparatory stages and with the task of
fitting the world (which means, in this case, preparing the human consciousness) for the
presence in physical activity and manifestation of the Hierarchy - in full force and with
its esoteric equipment.

In the
early stages, the task of preparation is arduous and difficult. Things will be relatively
easy for the senior Members of the Hierarchy when They find the right time for Their
appearance. In the meantime, the world disciples have to take the world - as it is at this
time - and slowly and laboriously instill the new ideas, incite to better methods of human
relations, help dissipate the aftermath of war, hold before the eyes of distraught
humanity the new vision of hope and of spiritual enlightenment, offset the scheming of
reactionary and conservative politicians and churchmen, and teach the youth of the age the
new modes of living, indicating to them the better values, and thus slowly and gradually
bringing in the new order.

Among the seven major Ashrams and their subsidiary and affiliated Ashrams only a few
have undertaken to send their disciples and their initiates at this time to carry
out this initiatory task. The three major Ashrams so engaged are: [577]

The Ashram
of the Master K.H. This is the second ray Ashram and - with that of the Master M. - the
most powerful in the Hierarchy; it controls the building forces.

The first
ray Ashram, that of the Master M. He is the custodian of the principle of synthesis, the
work of which is that of organic fusion, and this is ever needed to supplement that of the
building agents.

The Ashram
of a Master on the fifth ray, the custodian, among other things, of science and of that
which relates and brings into expression the duality of spirit-matter. This Ashram has an
important part to play in the work of preparation, for it is through the scientific use of
energy that the world will be rebuilt and the factual nature of the Hierarchy be proved.

Through the
pressure of education (second ray energy), through the growth of the concept of synthesis
(first ray energy), and through the correct use of energy (fifth ray energy), this world
can be brought into a condition of preparedness for the externalization of the Hierarchy.